NBA Teams Making the Postseason Hunt Interesting

Less than a month remains in the 2015-16 NBA regular season. Which teams are making the postseason hunt for all of the right and wrong reasons?

Welcome to the final stretch of the 2015-16 NBA season. Only four teams have clinched berths in the 2016 NBA Playoffs, which leaves 12 spots open and the teams that fill them undetermined.

While a vast majority of postseason berths have yet to be earned, a select few teams at the bottom of the postseason playing field are making the hunt especially interesting.

The following teams are not championship contenders from a traditional perspective. Instead, they’re squads that are either thriving or struggling with the postseason nearing, the pressure mounting, and the competition growing as fierce as it’s ever been.

The question is, which teams are making the competition for the final postseason seeds a compelling one?

Next: Eastern Conference, No. 1

Chicago Bulls

Record: 36-33

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 8

Current Streak: Won 3

Previously viewed as a lock to make the playoffs in 2016, the Chicago Bulls are now fighting for their postseason life. Chicago is 36-33, holding the advantage over the No. 9 seed by a win percentage point, and the No. 10 seed by just 1.5 games with 13 outings remaining.

A healthy Jimmy Butler could change the entire trajectory of Chicago’s season, especially with Derrick Rose beginning to play like his old self again.

Whether or not Rose plays at a high level, Chicago absolutely needs Butler to remain healthy until season’s end.

With Butler in the lineup, the Bulls are 31-23 in 2015-16, which can be equated to a 47-35 record based on win percentage. Without Butler, Chicago falls to 5-10, which is only good for a mark of 27-55—quite the drastic decline for the championship-hungry Bulls.

The question is, with or without Butler, how long can Chicago realistically go without succumbing to its painfully erratic play?

That number is greatly influenced by the time that Butler missed, but inconsistency has been a season-long problem. Chicago is just as capable of defeating one of the top teams in the NBA as it is losing to one of its very worst.

The pressure is on for Fred Hoiberg in the team’s first postseason push without Tom Thibodeau—a man who led Chicago to the playoffs in all five of his seasons at the helm.

Next: Eastern Conference, No. 2

Detroit Pistons

Record: 37-34

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 9

Current Streak: Won 3

The Detroit Pistons recently won a game at the buzzer on an Andre Drummond tip-in. That’s the type of confidence-building victory that could propel a team to the type of push required for the Pistons to overcome their divisional foes and make the playoffs.

At this current juncture, Detroit trails the Chicago Bulls by a single win percentage point for the No. 8 seed, and the Indiana Pacers by half a game for the No. 7 seed.

The question is, can Detroit seal the gap?

Detroit will play Chicago on April 2, and that game will go a long way towards deciding which team makes the playoffs. A Pistons win would earn the season tiebreak over the Bulls, which may come into play given how close this race currently is.

Having lost the season series to the Pacers, it’s now on the Pistons to win and control their own destiny—something plays like this are helping them do.

Stan Van Gundy has an excellent track record when it comes to winning games and making the playoffs. He had a career winning percentage of .610 entering 2015-16, has a record of 48-39 in the playoffs, and has Detroit at 37-34 with 11 games remaining this season.

Considering Detroit has already increased its win total by five from 2014-15, it’s safe to say that betting against Detroit would be unwise.

Next: Eastern Conference, No. 3

Indiana Pacers

Record: 37-33

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 7

Current Streak: Won 1

Whether or not Paul George plays well, the Indiana Pacers are finding ways to win games. That’s quite the relief when one acknowledges what many have readily overlooked: George has been painfully inconsistent this season, and while understandable, that must be acknowledged.

The good news: Indiana is 6-4 in its past 10 games, and George recently scored 45 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The bad news: Indiana lost the game George scored 45 points in.

Thus far, the Pacers have overcome George’s struggles in his return from the compound fracture that kept him sidelined for most of 2014-15. In order to secure a postseason berth, however, Indiana will need its All-NBA forward to be at his very best.

Or, perhaps, the team and the star simply need to get back onto the same page.

George’s 45-point performance makes it 12 losses during games that he’s scored at least 30. That number accurately represents his season, as PG13 has played up and down to the level of his competition, seemingly thriving when his back is against the wall and failing to do so in other situations.

If George can make these final 12 outings his statement games, the Pacers should get back to the postseason.

Next: Eastern Conference, No. 4

Washington Wizards

Record: 35-35

Last 10: 5-5

Current Seed: No. 10

Current Streak: Won 5

John Wall has been tremendous, Marcin Gortat has been solid, and that’s the extent of why the Washington Wizards aren’t irrelevant. That may seem harsh, but Wall has taken this team onto his back and led it to significant overachievement.

Need proof? Try this:

Simply put, the Wizards have been living and dying by what Wall has provided them with in 2015-16.

When Wall distributes at least 10 assists, Washington has a win percentage that translates to a 47-35 season record. When he fails to, that record drops to 9-16, which converts to a rounded up mark of 30-52 over 82 games.

Fortunately for the Wizards, Bradley Beal is somewhat healthy and thriving again.

Washington needs Beal, as well as the resurgent Nene Hilario and Markieff Morris, to continue to provide steady production. Wall has proven himself to be more than capable of leading Washington through this brutal season, but he needs help.

For those left wondering whether or not Wall is an NBA superstar, note that he’s averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 3-point field goals made since December 1.

Next: Western Conference, No. 1

Dallas Mavericks

Record: 35-35

Last 10: 3-7

Current Seed: No. 8

Current Streak: Won 1

The Dallas Mavericks are not the powerhouse that they used to be. Dirk Nowitzki is still an excellent scorer, Deron Williams has his moments of brilliance, and Wesley Matthews can catch fire from beyond the arc, but Dallas has hit a proverbial wall.

Not only has Dallas dropped seven of 10, but it’s also lost starting small forward Chandler Parsons for the season, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Parsons will most certainly be missed.

Parsons is No. 3 on the roster in scoring, and No. 4 in both rebounds and assists per game. He’s also No. 2 in 3-point field goals made per game, and No. 1 in 3-point field goal percentage, which plays a major role in the Mavericks ranking No. 8 in the NBA in 3-point field goals converted per contest.

So long as Nowitzki keeps shooting, however, Dallas will remain a factor in the postseason hunt.

Chances are, Nowitzki won’t average 40 points over the final 12 games of the season. Thus, it’s on his teammates to provide the supporting fire that Parsons gave Dallas before his injury.

Dallas is currently in possession of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, but it will need to maintain this pace with the Utah Jazz champing at the bit.

Next: Western Conference, No. 2

Houston Rockets

Record: 35-35

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 7

Current Streak: Lost 1

The Houston Rockets have regressed significantly, but there’s no telling how well this team will play come the postseason. Poor as the team may be playing, James Harden and Dwight Howard are proven postseason performers who can take over games on the biggest of stages.

In what can only be described as a significant development, Howard will be available for the long-run after a suspension scare due to his recent stickum scandal.

That’s a very fortunate break for the Rockets.

Harden is producing at an elite level individually, but he’s playing Houston in and out of games. He’s averaging 28.6 points, 7.2 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 3-point field goals made, but he’s also committing 4.6 turnovers per game.

Many have doubted Houston, and with good reason, but Howard remains confident in his and Harden’s ability to lead the Rockets to a championship.

That’s a tall task, but Houston did reach the 2015 Western Conference Finals. Not much has changed structurally, and if Houston gets the right first round matchup, it could make some serious noise on the postseason front.

It’ll be an uphill battle, but Houston is not a team to sleep on in the postseason picture.

Next: Western Conference, No. 3

Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 36-35

Last 10: 3-7

Current Seed: No. 6

Current Streak: Lost 1

If the Portland Trail Blazers somehow manage to make the playoffs, Terry Stotts will be a prime candidate for Coach of the Year. In order to reach the postseason, Portland just has to stop losing during its most important stretch.

Since jumping out to a record of 33-28, the Trail Blazers have gone just 3-7.

Portland’s sudden regression is to be expected, to some extent, as it’s severely overachieving. LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews, and Arron Afflalo all left during the summer of 2015, and Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have been the only star-caliber players in 2015-16.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has gone as far as singling coach Stotts out as the man whom he’d vote for as Coach of the Year.

For what it’s worth, Stotts used to be an assistant under Carlisle. Nevertheless, the point is valid.

Portland’s overachievement has made it one of the most compelling success stories of the year. Not many view the Trail Blazers as viable threats to win the NBA championship, but all will readily acknowledge how dangerous of a team Neil Olshey has constructed.

If you’re at all concerned about Portland missing the playoffs, star point guard Damian Lillard has a message for you: “Not on my watch.”

Lillard’s, “Chip on my shoulder,” approach to the game has rubbed off on his teammates. Portland’s roster is flush with players who were essentially rejected by other teams, and have come together to create one of the deeper and more productive rotations in the NBA.

The Trail Blazers are on thin ice as one of four teams fighting for three spots in the playoffs, but Lillard is confident that he can lead Portland back to the postseason.

Utah Jazz

Record: 34-36

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 9

Current Streak: Won 1

Leading up to the 2015-16 regular season, the Utah Jazz were projected by many to reach the playoffs. A slew of injuries, including those to guards Dante Exum and Alec Burks, have damaged Utah’s odds of doing so.

Fortunately for fans of the Jazz, their favorite club is catching fire at the perfect time.

Utah has won five of its past six games, which coincides with both the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers hitting rough patches. Thus, the Jazz have positioned themselves to be break through, after all, and secure a berth in the postseason.

For those concerned with Utah’s legitimacy, note that it defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in impressive fashion.

The key part of that tweet: Utah defeated Cleveland without Gordon Hayward.

Hayward is back and healthy now, which means Utah’s vaunted frontcourt will be tasked with leading this final push. Derrick Favors has played at a star-caliber level in 2015-16, Rudy Gobert has been wonderful when healthy, and Hayward continues to be one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA.

Favors and Gobert’s dominant patrol of the defensive interior is a major part of what makes Utah such a special team.

Utah is one of two teams holding opponents below 50.0 percent shooting at the rim. It’s also No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 10 in defensive efficiency, and No. 3 in points allowed in the paint per game, per NBA.com.

More hoops habit: Which NBA teams are getting hot at the perfect time?

Just 1.0 game back of both the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds, Utah is a team to keep a very close eye on entering the closing stretch of the 2015-16 NBA regular season.